The Junction: the housing stock and its plumbing
The Junction grew around the meeting of rail lines in the west end, and was its own town before joining Toronto in 1909. Dundas Street West is its heart. Houses are mostly early twentieth century brick, detached and semi-detached, with some older frame homes and newer infill. Industrial history means some soils near the tracks have fill, and many houses have had several rounds of renovation.
Trouble we run into most often
- Clay and cast iron laterals with joint problems and root intrusion.
- Galvanized steel supply lines narrowing over time.
- Basement conversions with drains below the main line.
- Seldom-used basement floor drains whose traps evaporate and let odours up.
Below the floor: drains, sewers and wet basements
Parts of the Junction sit on higher ground, but the sewer system in older blocks can still back up during intense storms. Basement apartments are common, so a backwater valve is worth considering. If you have weeping tile connected to the sewer, disconnecting it and adding a sump pump reduces risk.
What happens when you ring us
In the Junction we often find layers of past renovations, so we test before assuming: which drains slow together, which taps lose pressure, which floor drain smells. Older rail-era fill can make digging slower, and we tell you that up front if a lateral repair is on the table.
Booking a visit in this neighbourhood
Ring the line
Say what is dripping, backing up or banging. Water still flowing? We guide your hand to the valve first.
Find the cause
The plumber traces the fault, with a scope or gauge where one earns its keep.
Pick the fix
Options come in everyday language, and nothing starts until you choose.
Repair & prove it
We finish, run the water to prove it, wipe up and leave a short written record.
Calls we field, answered plainly
Why do my drains gurgle after rain?
Storm water may be entering the sewer through old connections, slowing your drain. A camera survey can show where.
Is it worth adding a basement bathroom?
Often, but plan venting and drain slope carefully. An ejector pump may be needed.